Sentimental Christmas Tree Skirt

Monday, December 8, 2014

If you are anything like me you have your wedding dress stashed somewhere around your house.  Maybe it is in a box in the attic or stored in a spare closet like mine.

When we moved into our new house two years ago I wanted to change up our Christmas decor without spending a fortune.


I was on the hunt for a beaded, white Christmas tree skirt.  The ones at the department stores were a fortune and even $50 or more at TJ Maxx and Homegoods.  That is not a bad price, but more than I wanted to spend.


Then it dawned on me that I had the perfect thing at home.  The train on my wedding dress was completely detachable.  It was white satin, beaded and round.  Perfect!


If your train does not detach, you could always cut apart your dress.  Insert gasps here!  Are you ever going to wear your dress again?  Do you have daughters that would actually want to wear it?  I have boys, so that isn't even a consideration.  Why not make into a new and useful family heirloom.


Hill Ridge Farms Festival of Lights

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Happy Sunday!  We made a Family Winter Fun list last week.  It's a good way to ensure the Christmas season is not soley based on shopping and hustle and bustle.  We crossed one item off the list last night by visiting Hillridge Farms Festival of Lights.


Many of you Raleigh locals know about Hillridge Farms fall fun with pumpkins and more, but did you know thy are open at Christmas too?


We visited with Santa and the boys told him what they would like for Christmas.  Santa lectured them about not fighting with each other, no whining and to make sure to listen to Mom and Dad the First time!  I love Santa!






Our other favorite activities at the Festival of Lights include the hayride through the lights, the giant slide, and roasting smore's around a fire.  They sell marshmallows on a long stick for roasting and a packet of chocolate squares and graham crackers. Hot chocolate and apple cider are another favorite too!


Outdoor Traditional Christmas Lights

Thursday, December 4, 2014

I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and hope you did too!  We did tons of decorating! Handsome Hubby put the lights on the front of the house while I decorated inside and on the back porch.



We still need a rug for the patio, snowflake lights, pillows and more, but it is starting to come together.  I am hoping to wrap it up this weekend for a post on Monday.






Getting Christmasfied

Sunday, November 30, 2014

My oldest was adamant that we "Christmasfy" our house this weekend.  Good thing that is what was already on the agenda.


Please forgive the grainy iPhone photos. I have asked for a new iPhone and camera for Christmas.


This is by far my favorite Christmas tree!  I am sure I say that every year, but I am in love with the white snowflakes and furry critters.  It's the perfect mix of what makes me happy and what makes my two little boys happy.  Plus, it's blue.  Their favorite color.  I reused a lot from last year including the white feather boas for "snow" and the tree skirt is actually the detachable train from my wedding dress.  Not that you can see it since it's covered in the packages I stayed up until midnight wrapping.



My two boys helped me make this ornament garland out of leftover Christmas balls.   We moved the mirror from the Mud Room to the stairs to add some more color to the staircase wall.  I can't wait to have the hallway painted. 

     
We also built Lego Santa's Workshop. This is my new favorite tradition.  We still need to rebuild the Lego Winter Village Cottage from last year. 


What's your favorite Christmas tradition?

This is also posted to Best of the Nest Link Party. 
Best of the Nest

Did you see this Ikea Hack on the Shine Your Light blog?  Incredible transformation!






Winter Patio

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Hey ya'll!  Are you getting in the Christmas spirit yet?  I am!  Although, I don't agree with Santa Claus coming to the mall before Thanksgiving, I must admit I have been humming Christmas Carols.

Have you seen Emily A. Clark's Winter Patio on the Home Depot Apron blog?  I am in love!  It made me think of jazzing up our screen porch for the winter.


Isn't it stunning?!?

Here's what I have to start with:





Since this is our view from the sliding glass door all winter, I think we should give it a Wintery Wonderland feel that we can leave decorated well after Christmas.  Although I love Emily's Red and Black scheme, that wouldn't flow with our grey, teal and white scheme inside.

Here is what I have in mind:





Spa like Master Bath

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Now that we are almost done with the boys' bedroom, my next project will be a mini update on the Master Bathroom.  The images shown of the bathroom were taken at the model house, our bathroom currently has no window treatment, is painted boring builder ivory and has no style.


Boys Room Progress-Part 3

Sunday, November 2, 2014

We are so close to finishing M&L's room!  Last weekend the shelves went up over Lucas's dresser and this weekend we finished the cornice boards for the windows.


We initially purchased red Lack shelves from Ikea for their room, but I thought since the boys' legos are so colorful that the wood tone would be better.  Plus, I got these for cheap on Craigslist!  


I had seen several tutorials online for using foam insulation to make cornice boards and thought it looked super easy.  I was wrong!  I think cutting thin plywood wood have been easier and we would not have foam pebbles flying all over the house.  Oh well!  They are done and hung now. 

I wanted to add ribbon trim to jazz them up a little bit, but the Hubby disagreed.


To trim or not to trim????

I picked up this fabric from Premier Fabrics in Raleigh.  I love having a local source for all of my Premier Prints favorites.

We are almost done with this space!  Here is what's left on the to do list:

  • Bookshelf/Hutch for between the beds
  • Sconces
  • Gallery Wall
  • Paint final 2 Star Wars canvases
  • Laundry hampers
  • Trick out the closet
  • Drawer knobs



Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )